New partnership to promote Stoke-on-Trent canals

A partnership which plans to strengthen the appeal of canals has been formed in Stoke-on-Trent.

The city council said it would work with a number of organisations, including British Waterways and Inland Waterways Association.

It added the group would work to apply planning policies that identified sites “that can bring forward high quality waterside environments”.

Lord Mayor Denver Tolley said it was a “landmark partnership”.

The partnership will look at reviewing the boundary of the Trent and Mersey Canal conservation area in consultation with local groups and residents in early 2011.

The council added the group would work to install welcome signs incorporating tourist information at the three water gateways into the city.

Other groups the authority said it would deal with included English Heritage, Caldon and Uttoxeter Canals Trust, RENEW North Staffordshire, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club and Trent and Mersey Canal Society.